50 - Service!!!

First mom, I did get that package! And thank you! I really did enjoy it! I talked to president about my going home date next year and he said if you guys want and can, like you guys can show up in the afternoon of March 30th, or on the 31st if you need to. 

Now onto my week. So this week was just insanely full of service. I’m not joking, we did service almost every single day this week and it about killed me. We painted a school, we cleaned a members house, then went and chopped some grass and then dug out a 3 foot trench for about 15 feet long for our neighbor. And then we went and helped move dirt. We actually do that a lot. We had a meeting with the bishop to see what he wants us to do. It seems like the members love us, but we still need to get the help of the bishop. It’s like he just sees us as other members of the ward, so we need to get him to help work with us. So we are trying with that.

We also found a few new people to start teaching. There is a kid that I met a while back, and he plays guitar. He is a really cool kid. And we have been trying to find him at home, but he is never there. But finally the other day he was home, so that was good. But other than that we are waiting for Kenneth to get home and that’s a big thing. We are going to put a baptismal date. But that’s roughly it. 

Other than that things are going good. We are just trying to do our hardest but sometimes it’s hard. I get disanimated sometimes and it’s hard. But I’m trying my best to be obedient and to work as hard as I can. I’m glad that I have the experience to be a missionary here. It’s helping me learn a lot about myself and about what I need to work on too. But other than that we are trying to find some good people. Our area hasn’t had a baptism for a year now, and we are the first companionship to get really close. We are hoping to work hard this next change. But that’s about it. Thank you for everything and your advice dad. It really does help a lot. I love you.

48 - Backstreet Boys Performance

I don’t know if you saw Justin’s letter, but it has a picture of him with at a stop sign that says alto y guapo. So dang funny! 

But now to the questions. Just an FYI, I brush my teeth and floss 2 times every day. And I’m using whitening toothpaste so don’t worry mom! This mouth is gonna be white and healthy! 

CH emailed me a few weeks ago. I’m glad he came over to the house. I love how he is using my dang Elk Ridge t-shirt in that picture! haha That freaking kid! 

But I’m glad things are going good. And I’m sorry about the back mom. If it makes you feel any better I’ve had back problems all my mission. So I feel the pain! But today was pretty cool. We went and played soccer, in the new shoes! And then we went to Marquesa, a member who does insane mola! Like the coolest I have ever seen! I asked her for one that is like a bamboo forest and has a koala bear climbing on it. It’s gonna be cool! 

But this week was weird to say the least. It seemed like no one was home. And then everyone was busy! It kinda stunk! It seemed like all of our lessons bailed on us this week too. But we have been hanging out with a family, a mom and her daughters. They are super cool! They are always busy though. But we decided they would be super cool members, and super good members! So that was cool. And we have another good family, the Sanchez. We have a noche de hogar with them this week. They are going to bring some friends to it.

And we did a huge service! We pretty much moved a mountain, so that was cool. It was super hard though.

And now to the best part. We did backstreet boys. I’ll try and get the video. But it was me, my comp, and our ZLs Elder Harris and Laird. We sang ‘I Want It That Way’. It was so funny! The members loved it! And a couple sister missionaries had flowers and necklaces and started throwing them as we did it. It was actually super cool and super fun! We had a really good time with it! But really, you gotta see that video! I’ll try and get it!

But things are good—we are working hard and trying our best all the time. I love you!

47 - Sometimes we do things we don't want to.

Hey! So this week was amazing! First off, to the fun. My shopping trip in Zona Libre! So I’m sure you have seen on the debit card, I had some fun. I bought a new pair of Cristiano Ronaldo CR7 cleats, some new black Nike shorts, and 3 new pairs of Nike soccer socks. Mine were all blown out. It was so dang fun! I got the CR7s, and they have the galaxy on them. Elder Kinghorn got some super cool Mercurials, and then my comp Elder Halls got some super cool pink HyperVenoms. So we got 3 gringos in Colon running in style. We are pretty stoked! 

Now this week, I wrote a few days ago so not much happened since then. First I will talk about Kasey. She is 5. And she is just the cutest little thing. She is a temptress too. She told my comp she is going to eat her vegetables, grow taller than him and then she can marry him. So needless to say she is too cute to say no to. Then Gia, she is another cutie, 6 years old, and she is just funny. I sent pictures of them.

Now onto a super cool lesson we had. So we found this kid Kenneth who is 14 years old. He is handicapped. His bones are curved and he is roughly 3 feet tall in total. He is a super cool kid though. I contacted him with Elder Laird, my ZL, and we taught him the Restoration of the Gospel of Christ. When we were teaching he seemed really interested. After we taught, I asked him how he felt and he told me happy. So I told him that was the spirit. It was telling him that what he was hearing is true and important. It was an awesome lesson! 

I have a friend that is serving in my first area and he is teaching some people I taught when I was there. So I am hoping that if they get baptized I can go back and see them. He has actually eaten dinner with the lady Margorie that I baptized there. So that’s super cool that she is still going to church! 

Dad, thank you so much. You taught me that sometimes we do things we don't want to. Like go to Priesthood session on Saturday nights. But now I see why. There is a new kid from another South American country here, and he is going home because he wants to go to school instead. So thank you for teaching me that sometimes things just have to be done. I love you dad.

I know this isn’t long, and I’m sorry. But this week was short! I love you! 

46 - Carnival!!

Why is Jake always spotted shoving food in his mouth???? (Top of pic in light blue tie)

Sorry I couldn't email on Monday because of Carnival. I'm glad you guys are all doing good! That's super funny that you and grandma and grandpa were checking pics of me. The album will be fun to see.

Yes I really do like my comp, yes I am still DL. There are two ways to get released, subir or bajar. Subir would be to go to ZL or AP, bajar would be comp mayor or menor. Ask dad about that. Most of the time they don't bajar you but I don't know when I'll be changed. But things are going good here! Next p day I'm going to go buy my cleats and maybe a pair of socks and shorts. I'm running low on stuff! But I'll let you know. 

So now on to my update. So last week a few crazy things happened. First, you know, I got food poisoning. I'm not sure what from, but it sucked. But gladly I survived. Then comes p day. I still went to play soccer, because it's fun! I scored another 5 goals and assisted for about 6 more so I am starting to play a lot better. Then we went to Colon Centro where every single internet place and the zona libre was closed because of Carnival! So I couldn't go buy new shoes. But we did get some good pizza. 

Then comes Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. It included doing some service, going to a waterfall, having some good lessons and just having a good time. Then Friday we went to do service again, and right after that we had divisions with the ZLs, and I was in charge of our area. We taught the law of chastity to some teenage girls and it was actually super good. We brought up everything from finding a husband who will love you for the rest of your life, to dressing modestly, to the reasons behind all of it. It  turned into like an hour and 5 minute lesson. But it was a super good one. They answered a lot of questions and I could feel the spirit super strong. Then we went and contacted for a while. It was pretty fun. 

Then the next day we were on a bus, and 2 guys started fighting in the front. I didst really pay attention, but one of them called the other a bad name. He started to get up, and said 'Come here' to the other guy, and the other guy jumped out of the bus! He fell because he didn't think ahead and kind of slid a few feet. Then he got up and ran away.  I'm about 99 percent sure he was going to get stabbed by the other guy. So that was pretty stinking insane! Other than that it was pretty good. haha

During the week, we had a service the other day in which we used a machete to cut down a full size stinking palm tree! It was awesome! But so hard! It was Carnivales this whole week so everything was closed until today. It kinda stunk! But now it's all back to normal so it's good!

Then yesterday we had a Zone Conference and Elder Duncan talked to us, and I got 3 big things from it. 

1 my wife will always be better than me

2 I need to think of my ward as being big enough to be a stake

3 I need to come back in 10 years to see how well the people I met are doing

Those are the main three points I learned. Number 1 may be the most important, though! haha But I love you mom. I miss you! But I'm glad things are going good! Thanks for being awesome and allowing me to buy the shoes I want ;) 

45 - Food Poisioning.

Well this week was pretty crazy.  My comp got changed! Now I have another gringo companion. His name is Elder H and he is frrom good ol' Kaysville. He is a really cool kid and we get along super well! We are having fun! We got to go to the temple this last week. It was super good! Super spiritual experience. And then I got food poisioning. It was super fun! haha Not even close. It sucked! I was so sick all night! But I'm better now. It was only a little bit. 

Our one investigator, L, is doing really good! But since I was really sick, we couldn't go to the lesson this week. But we will see her again next week. It's kinda hard. People aren't really progressing, but I'll just keep trying. 

No I haven't gotten the package yet but I'll keep my eyes peeled!

So now onto this week. So we had changes on Wednesday. So Tuesday we went out and said goodbye to everyone. Then I got my new comp on Wednesday. We went home, Thursday we went out and worked after district meeting and had some good lessons. I told a lady that we baptize and that we have a message that will change her life. She said if God shows her a sign, she will. So I told her if you pray with faith and really want the true answer, you will receive it. So we will see how that one goes! Then Friday we went out, had a good couple lessons. We had a super good one with a menos (less) active member. She hasn't been to church in a long long time. So we tried to help her remember why she was baptized. It turned out really good actually! Then Saturday we went to the temple. It was like 12 missionaries in total and it was awesome! Then we went to get pizza and stuff, and that's when I got sick on the way home, so we kinda relaxed. Then Sunday we went to Sacrament meeting and I felt like crap so we had to go home. Then last night we slept at Buena Vista and played soccer this morning. Needless to say I had 5 goals. And I mean like top 90 goals. One I stopped and just drilled it right into the top corner, it actually broke the net a little! I felt so cool! haha But now we are going to zona libre. I am going to try and find a sports brace. So if you see some money taken off the card don't freak out! 

Dad, you need to be looking hard for those great cars that maybe aren't the most talked about! In other words, something V8. Dodge, Chevy, something like that! haha I'm just kidding. I have complete faith in you, even though you won't buy an STI! haha Dad I will always question that one. 

But this week was good but hard. Some super good lessons. We are working hard.

This internet doesn't have USB ports so I can't send pictures. I will try to do it from the church. If not I'll just do it next week. But I love you! I didn't hear from Dolores yet. We will see next week! Tell grandma to stay strong! That's super good that she's on her last round! I'm glad things are going good with the fam. I love you guys!